Hope Solo 'saddened' by 6-month USNWT suspension

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Goalkeeper Hope Solo in action for the US National Women's Team.

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Hope Solo gets six-month USNWT suspension

Solo called Sweden team "bunch of cowards"

Goalkeeper "saddened" by decision

(CNN)Hope Solo has hit back at the United States Soccer Federation's decision to sanction her for controversial comments made at the Rio Olympics, saying she is "saddened" but will continue to play with the "same unrelenting passion."

The USSF announced late Wednesday that it had suspended the veteran US goalkeeper for six months after she described Swedish players as "a bunch of cowards" for what she viewed as their defensive tactics.

Solo then posted a statement on Facebook and Twitter shortly after revealing her contract had also been terminated.

The suspension is Solo's second in two years. She was previously banned for 30 days in January 2015 for alleged indiscipline at a USNWT training camp.

"The comments by Hope Solo after the match against Sweden during the 2016 Olympics were unacceptable and do not meet the standard of conduct we require from our National Team players," read a statement from US Soccer President Sunil Gulati.

"Beyond the athletic arena, and beyond the results, the Olympics celebrate and represent the ideals of fair play and respect. We expect all of our representatives to honor those principles, with no exceptions."

"Taking into consideration the past incidents involving Hope, as well as the private conversations we've had requiring her to conduct herself in a manner befitting a US National Team member, US Soccer determined this is the appropriate disciplinary action."

Solo, who will now not be available for national selection until February 2017, responded by posting with her own statement, saying she was "saddened by the Federation's decision to terminate my contract."

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"I could not be the player I am without being the person I am, even if I haven't made the right choices or said the right things."

"My entire career I have only wanted the best for this team, for the players and for the women's game and I will continue to pursue these causes with the same unrelenting passion with which I play the game."